Thousands of vehicles owned by service members who have shipped them to or from overseas duty stations with a Defense Department contractor continue to be late or appear lost in the system. And officials with U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) are trying to help users make sure their complaints get to the right place.
While a Facebook group created a few months ago continues to grow and swirl both useful information (like the tip off for this story) and pure rumors (like a message from a user claiming that a Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command inspector general told him that the contractor had been given a 30 day warning to shape up ship out -- said to be false by officials I talked to), TRANSCOM officials want to make sure their message is also being heard.
And the message is this: If you are paying out of pocket for expenses related to a late car or it was damaged when you received it, file a claim. If you need help, contact the contractor, International Auto Logistics (IAL).
How do you know if you should file a claim? This fancy graphic they created might help.
The message to drop IAL a line, however, might be met by those who are dealing with a POV problem with a little frustration. One of the major complaints against IAL is that they are nearly impossible to track down. Phones go unanswered, voice mail boxes are full, or people who do answer don't know anything, users have complained.
Are you one of those who is still having trouble with IAL? Tell us your story in the comments.
Photos: Courtesy USTRANSCOM and Facebook.
